The failure of the track and trace app is the least-worst thing about it June 27, 2020 Last week, the UK government announced a radical change in direction in its track and trace programme. Its contact-tracing app, first announced in early May and once promised as a “world beating” solution, was pulled from development. The NHSX app was abandoned because Apple and Google refused to yield on personal privacy restrictions that are [...]
Three people ‘believed dead’ in Glasgow stabbing June 26, 2020 Three people are believed to have been killed in a stabbing attack in Glasgow city centre this afternoon, the BBC reported. The attacker, who was shot dead by police, was one of the fatalities, and there are reports that two others were killed. A total of six people are being treated in hospital for their [...]
UK coronavirus deaths jump by 186 to hit 43,414 June 26, 2020 UK coronavirus deaths increased by 186 overnight days before England is set to ease its lockdown, official data showed today. That took the official UK death toll to 43,414, according to Department of Health data. However, including suspected cases, UK coronavirus deaths are believed to have exceeded 50,000. Today’s figure is the third day running [...]
France and UK offer concessions on digital tax after US tariff threat June 26, 2020 The Treasury is offering to reduce the scope of its digital services tax if the US promises to come back to the negotiating table on a global proposal, it has emerged. Alongside the finance ministers of France, Italy and Spain, the UK said in a letter to US Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin it would “considerably [...]
Police attacked again at illegal Notting Hill party June 26, 2020 Police officers have been attacked for the second night in a row while trying to disperse an illegal party in Notting Hill. Writing on Twitter, the Met Police said that objects had been thrown at police at an unlicensed music event near Colville Gardens in west London. The situation arose after 22 police officers were [...]
Trump versus Biden: The battle of the brands June 26, 2020 Politics should always be about policies. But in this “post-truth” era, US politics in particular has become disconnected with policy. Instead, the 2020 presidential showdown is about brands: Brand Trump versus Brand Biden. In a normal election year, the presidential race would be up and running right now, with polling numbers over analysed, policies and [...]
The proposal to scrap jury trials is an assault on the cornerstone of our justice system June 26, 2020 You might have missed it in the outpouring of excitement over the reopening of pubs next weekend, but coronavirus could be about to claim a new victim: trial by jury. On Tuesday, while the Prime Minister was unveiling a mass relaxation of lockdown restrictions, justice secretary Robert Buckland was informing MPs that legislation to dramatically [...]
Rebecca Long-Bailey fired from shadow cabinet over ‘antisemitic’ tweet June 25, 2020 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has sacked Rebecca Long-Bailey as shadow education secretary after she retweeted an article that was deemed antisemitic. Long-Bailey was removed by the shadow cabinet today after she reposted an article that claimed the US policeman that killed George Floyd had learnt the tactics in Israel. Actress Maxine Peak made the [...]
UK coronavirus deaths rise by 149 as lockdown lift looms ahead June 25, 2020 A further 149 coronavirus deaths have occurred in the UK, the Department for Health and Social Care announced today. The new toll takes the total number of Covid-19 deaths in Britain to 43,081. The figure takes into account people who have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus [...]
Prime Minister has ‘full confidence’ in Jenrick over £1bn housing row June 25, 2020 The Prime Minister has said he has “full confidence” in Robert Jenrick, as the housing secretary faces calls to resign over accusations he was part of a “cash for favours” scandal involving a £1bn property development. Downing Street this morning said the housing secretary still had the support of Boris Johnson after documents released yesterday [...]